THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – Is It Summer or Autumn?
It’s time for another weekend packed with remaining summer fests along with preparing for the official arrival of the autumn season later this month. Enjoy being outdoors before it’s too late!
Had enough of the summer season? Here are two events kicking off the autumn season.
The Chicago German American Oktoberfest celebrates the upcoming arrival of autumn this Saturday and Sunday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.) in the Lincoln Square neighborhood at 4700 N. Lincoln Avenue at Leland Avenue. Two gigantic tents will be serving up tons of German hospitality with authentic German food of traditional bratwursts, pretzels, and more; liters of German beer and wine will be served every day; live performances from four traditional German bands and dancing troupes for your entertainment; and an amusement section to enjoy the many carnival games for family fun. Plus, the annual Von Steuben Day Parade begins at 2:00 p.m. Saturday on Lincoln Avenue from Irving Park Road heading north to Western Avenue. It doesn’t get any more German than this!
The Revolution Oktoberfest takes shape just outside the brewery’s taproom at 2323 N. Milwaukee Avenue between Belden and Medill Avenues in the Logan Square neighborhood this Saturday (12 p.m.-10 p.m.). Attendees will have an opportunity to enjoy Oktoberfest-inspired eats from Beard & Belly including warm soft pretzels; fill up with steins of beer at just $5 for stein refills and you even get to keep the stein; enjoy a lineup of live music; partake in a stein-hoisting contest for great Rev Brew prizes; and more. So, dust off your dirndl and get the autumn season started!
For my summer diehards, here are your choices for this weekend.
The largest and oldest literary festival in the Midwest returns this Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) with the 41st annual Printers Row Lit Fest at 637 South Dearborn Street in the South Loop neighborhood. This literary festival features six indoor and outdoor stages of nearly 300 authors, journalists, playwrights, poets, and cultural voices appearing in more than 70 live programs spanning fiction, poetry, politics, horror, memoir, food, culture, children’s literature and storytelling with live author panels, book discussions, and cultural programming. Headliners include the literary icon Scott Turow, Chicago’s Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle, the James Beard Award-winner Michael Gebert, and many others. Best of all, admission to the book fair and literary programs is free!
Showcasing their neighborhood’s vibrant arts and community since 2001, the Ravenswood ArtWalk returns to the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor located at 4191 N. Ravenswood Avenue from Lawrence Avenue to Irving Park Road this Saturday and Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.). This family friendly ArtWalk features open studios and galleries, pop-up performances and activations; an outdoor arts market featuring 80+ local makers; two stages of incredible live music; a pop-up beer garden; food trucks; kids’ activities; and more. Enjoy a weekend of exploration and wonder as there’s a lot to see and do at this ArtWalk!
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day as El Grito Chicago returns to Grant Park’s Butler Field (337 E. Randolph St. at Columbus Dr.) in the Loop this Saturday and Sunday (2 p.m.-10 p.m.). It’s a two-day celebration of Mexican food, music, culture and pride featuring authentic Mexican food and drink; live performances from local and international artists; an artisan mercado; a kid’s carnival; and much more!
Sue Moss and Dean’s Team Chicago
